Sometimes there really is such a thing as a free lunch. To the delight of striking writers and local businesses, Drew Carey has resumed a tradition he started sixteen years ago, picking up the lunch tab for WGA members.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

The Price is Right host and comic tweeted on May 19 that he would foot the bill at two local Los Angeles restaurants until the strike was over: "Show your WGA card at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank or Swingers Diner on Beverly (near Fairfax) and your meal is free."

Several writers pointed out this isn't the first time that Carey leaned into the support language of food, recalling his similar gesture during the 2007 WGA strike. "Drew bought me lunch for two months straight in ‘07 when I was struggling with that WGA strike. In a better place now, but Drew continues to be a good dude," one writer tweeted.

Another tweeted from Bob's Big Boy: "Always remember how Drew Carey paid for lunches here for writers on strike. Writers will never forget his kindness and support."

Purchasing lunch for countless writers isn't just a boon for their bellies — it's also a generous help to the local restaurants that Carey chose. "It gets us business, so we're very thankful to Drew," Gencer Pedrigala, the assistant general manager at Bob's Big Boy, told The Messenger. After all, purchasing lunch for any WGA writer who wants one, at two separate restaurants no less, comes with a hefty price tag.

"If I would estimate it, I would say about $1,500 to $1,600, even $1,700 [per day]," Pedrigala said of the cost to Carey for the WGA lunches at Bob's Big Boy.

It's a similar case at Swingers Diner. The Messenger spoke with the owner and general manager, Stephanie Wilson, who estimated "it's over $10,000 that he's spent. There isn't a set amount. He let us know that this is what he wants to do and every day, we're tallying it up for him."

Since Carey kicked this off in the late afternoon of May 19, by press time of this article the current total bill is likely over $20,000 — and growing with each passing day. (When contacted by The Messenger, a rep for Carey declined to comment.)

The effort is paying off, according to Wilson, who said the writers' gratefulness is palpable. "We've seen a lot of WGA members here, and every single day they are coming and feeling the love and support from Drew. We hear thank you so many times and we're like, 'Thank you to Drew,' because he's the one doing all this. We're just happy to facilitate it. It's been wonderful."

While Carey's gesture is in its own league, other celebrities have brought food and support to the picket lines, like Lil Wayne (who sent a Fatburger truck), Jay Leno, Flavor Flav, and Pete Davidson.

A writer's life often comes with dry spells as freelancers, but since the strike creates an even bigger financial pinch every comped burger counts. Added Pedrigala: "They're very, very happy and they're very, very thankful to Drew."